“We were all close to him because we understood the moment, it’s not easy to overcome something like that” said Chivu after the 90 minutes of “Pepo” against Venezia
Ninety minutes of football and that’s it. Against Venezia, in Cristian Chivu’s turnover dynamics, Josep “Pepo” Martinez only thought about his Inter and the ball. A glimmer of “normality” rediscovered for the second Nerazzurri goalkeeper, still under investigation on charges of road homicide after what happened on the road to Appiano Gentile last 28 October. More than a month has now passed since that day when the Spaniard was involved in an accident that cost the life of an 81-year-old.
90 minutes with Venezia
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“It’s better to ask him about his emotional state… We know what he’s going through, we’re happy to have seen him with us again – explained Chivu in the Inter-Venice post –. After the match I didn’t even ask him how he’s doing, we’re in a blender and they immediately took me away from the locker room. He knows how to work, always move forward with his head held high.” The photograph of the Romanian coach is clear, delicate. The question is one to be handled with care. Because the investigation is still ongoing. The victim’s death due to illness has been ruled out but the technical report requested by the Como prosecutor Giulia Ometto is awaited to understand the dynamics of the impact, through the traces on the ground, and Martinez’s speed. On that stretch of road the limit is 90 km/h. “Pepo” was immediately supported by a team of psychologists, made available by Inter, he closed his social profiles in the days in which the inevitable shock of what happened took over his daily life, then he resumed training and the club, team and coach were close to him. On Instagram he returned to post after the 5-1 win in the Italian Cup: “What a great feeling to be back on the pitch with my teammates. A good test to find the rhythm and sensations for what awaits us. With more strength and motivation than ever.” And with the support of a coach who tried to choose the best moment to hand him back the Inter goal and a flash of normality: “We were all close to him because we understood the moment, it’s not easy to overcome something like that.”